Health & Wellness
Our Health & Wellness programs help athletes lead healthier lives—on and off the field. Whether you’re an athlete looking to improve your health, or a volunteer wanting to support our events, we’ve made it easy to find what you need. Choose your path below!
News & Events
Walking Club Registration
Join our 8-week seasons offered throughout the year, designed for everyone to stay active, complete fun challenges, and build walking stamina.
Medical Partners
Become a volunteer or medical partner! Help provide vital foot care to athletes and gain meaningful, hands-on clinical experience, and make a difference.
Fit Feet, Full Hearts
Dr. Dutra leads Fit Feet, offering foot care to athletes while mentoring students in a rewarding blend of service, health, and education.
Our Stories
Special Olympics is the world’s largest public health organization for people with intellectual disabilities.
Why It’s Important
HEALTH CARE
In one study, 56% of medical students in the United States reported that graduates were “not competent” to treat people with Intellectual Disabilities (ID).*
*Special Olympics International. (2005). Changing Attitudes Changing the World: The Health and Health Care of People with Intellectual Disabilities. Washington, DC: Special Olympics International.
HEALTH RISKS
Globally, adults with intellectual disabilities are more than 2X more likely to be obese* compared to adults without ID. Nearly 40% of individuals with intellectual disabilities have untreated tooth decay.*
*Health & Research Evaluation conducted by Special Olympics International (SOI). *Special Olympics International Special Smiles.
CHANGES IN HEALTH
CARE PERCEPTION
72.7% of healthcare professionals who volunteered at a Special Olympics health event said that they would seek out more patients with ID.*
*Bainbridge, D. (2008)
CHANGES IN HEALTH
66% of those who returned to Special Smiles had resolved their health issue.*
“Because of Health & Wellness programs like the Walking Club, I was able to build up my endurance and now I can walk a mile!”
Athlete Leader & Health Messenger Bradley
2023 on the Walking Club
